Apparatus for feeding paper into successive convolutions of metal coils and method therefor



May 7, 1968 A. J. WHITEHOUSE- ETAL 3,331,905

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PAPER INTO SUCCESSIVE CONVOLUTIONS OF METAL COILS AND METHOD THEREFOR Filed Aug. 15, 1966 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS AMA/V J W/l/TEHOUSA' ZEROY 1/. ROMA/v0 a fi/(A/A 20 6. PAL M672 ay 7, 1968 A. J. WHITEHOUSE ETAL 3,38

APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PAPER INTO SUCCESSIVB CONVOLUTIONS OF METAL COILS AND METHOD THEREFOR Filed Aug. 15, 1966 3 Sheets$heet 2 INVENTORS AMA/V J. WA/lTY/OUSf 1mm 1 ROWLAND a ,Q/CA/ARO a. PAL/n52 May 7, 1968 A. J WHITEHOUSE ETAL 3,381 APPARATUS FOR FEEDING PAPER INTO SUCCESSIVE CONVOLUTIONS 0F METAL COILS AND METHOD THEREFOR Filed Aug. 15, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 6 T M NWLL E WA V fi P N V wyw 0A LRW C/ A12 W M k% mn 9M,

APPARATUS FGR FEEDING PAPER INTO SUCCES- SIVE CONVOLUTZONS F METAL COILS AND METHOD THEREFOR Allan J. Whitchouse, Butler, Le Roy V. Rowland, Evans City, and Richard G. Palmer, Butler, Pa, assignors to Armco Steel Corporation, Middletown, Ohio, a corporatien of Qhio Filed Aug. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 572,390 14 Claims. (Cl. 2.4278.1)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE An apparatus for feeding coil interleaving paper into successive convolutions of coils, which comprises a telescoping strip support having a frame and stiffener member pivotally connected thereto. A rotatable mandrel holding a paper roll is mounted upon the frame and stiffener along with an adjustable nozzle means which supplies air, and an air cylinder is provided to pivot the frame and stiffener about its connection to the telescoping strip support.

In another embodiment, mandrel arms are provided to hold the paper roll and an air cylinder motivator operatively connected to the mandrel arms controls their movement. Nozzles supply air to keep the unrolled paper contiguous with the under side of the metal strip.

In a further embodiment, an apron, motivated by an air cylinder, is provided between the mandrel arms, which are motivated by another air cylinder. The mandrel arms support a paper roll and nozzles supply air to keep the unrolled paper contiguous with the under side of the metal strip.

Finally, a method is provided which comprises the steps of urging the roll of paper against the metal strip whereby the paper roll is driven by the strip. The method may include the steps utilizing air to blow the handling end of the paper against the metal strip and into the bite of the coil being wound, and retraction of the roll of paper from the metal strip after the feeding is started and the inertia of starting the roll of paper rotating has been accomplished.

This invention relates to the rolling of metal strip and, in particular, to the rolling of metal strip having a polished surface, such as, for example, stainless steel metal strip which has been rolled and bright annealed, or stainless steel metal strip which has been rolled, bright annealed and polished.

Metal strip is ordinarily reduced to the desired gauge by passing it back and forth through a reversing mill or by passing it in one direction only through a multistand continuous mill. After reduction, the metal strip is then coiled. The coiling operation frequently causes longitudinal scratches on the strip surface resulting from slippage of successive convolutions of the coil as it is wound under tension. In order to alleviate this problem the industry has generally adopted the practice of feeding coil interleaving paper into successive convolutions of coils as they are being built. Heretofore, this operation has been accomplished by means of a paper roll on a mandrel which is transverse to the metal strip being coiled. Existing systems then require a workman to start the paper roll turning, and to guide the free end of the paper into the bite of the coil. This actiivty, of necessity, is done close to the coil bite and the moving edge of the metal strip, and is obviously a dangerous safety hazard. Additionally, there is a loss of time in changing rolls or in repeating the above starting operation when the interleaving paper being fed into successive convolutions of coils tears under tension.

States Patent 0 'ice Finally, a workman is unable to successfully guide the free end of the paper into the bite of a metal strip when the paper roll is on aligned arms within a concavity or depression below the fioor line, such a structural design being dictated because of space requirements.

With the foregoing considerations in mind, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a method and apparatus for feeding coil interleaving paper into successive convolutions of metal coils as they are being built, without necessitating the workmen touching or guiding the paper in any manner.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a method and apparatus for feeding coil interleaving paper into successive convolutions of metal coils as they are being built which, along with reducing the safety hazards involved, provides a much faster starting operation so as to obviate delays which resulted from earlier starting operations.

Further, it is an object of the instant invention to provide an apparatus for performing in a satisfactory manner the method of feeding coil interleaving paper into successive convolutions of metalcoils as they are be ng built.

It is still another object of the instant invention to provide an apparatus for feeding paper into successive convolutions of metal coils as they are being built which is ofgreatly increased efiiciency.

Additionally, it is another object of the instant invention to provide an apparatus for feeding paper into successive convolutions of metal coils which may be successfully utilized below the floor line when the successive convolutions of metal coils are being built above the floor line.

A yet further object of the instant invention is to provide an apparatus for feeding coil interleaving paper into successive convolutions of metal coils as they are being built which is simple in construction, economical in man ufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed.

These and other objects of the invention, which will be described in greater detail herein-after, or which will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, are accomplished by that certain construction and arrangement of parts of which the following is an exemplary embodiment. While the invention is described in terms of a method and apparatus for feeding coil interleaving paper into successive convolutions of coils following the operation of cold rolling, it will be understood that the method and apparatus are not limited to this disclosure. For example, the method and apparatus could be described in terms of coiling or recoiling the metal strip after it has been processed in any manner.

Reference is made to the drawings forming a part hereof and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the instant invention.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the instant invention.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIGURE 5.

Briefly, the invention is based on the principle of avoiding the production of scratches in the metal strip as it is being coiled, by interleaving paper into successive convolutions of metal coils. This prevents the scratching of one layer by adjacent layers, thereby preserving the finish imparted to the surface of the strip by the cold rolling or other operation, as the case may be.

The method of the instant invention comprises the step of urging the roll of paper against the metal strip whereby the paper roll is driven by the strip. Additionally, the method may include the steps of utilizing air to blow the handling end of the paper against the metal strip and into the bite of the coil being wound, and retraction of the roll of paper from the metal strip after feeding is started and the inertia of starting the roll of paper rotating has been accomplished.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a telescoping strip support having a frame and stiffener member pivotally connected thereto. A rotatable mandrel holding a paper roll is mounted upon the frame and stilfener along with an adjustable nozzle means which supplies air, and an air cylinder is provided to pivot the frame and stiffener about its connection to the telescoping strip support.

In another embodiment mandrel arms are provided to hold the paper roll. An air cylinder motivator operatively connected to the mandrel arms controls their movement and nozzles supply air to keep the unrolled paper contiguous with the under side of the metal strip.

In a further embodiment an apron, motivated by an air cylinder, is provided between the mandrel arms which. are motivated by another air cylinder. The mandrel arms, of course, support a paper roll and nozzles supply air to keep the unrolled paper contiguous with the under side of the metal strip. Additionally, when the metal strip is of a character that paper interleaving is not required when the strip is coiled, such as, for example, heavy gauge low carbon steel, a removable bridge section is provided to fit over the apron.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings and particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, one embodiment of the instant invention is shown. The metal strip 1, such as, for example, a stainless steel strip which has been brightly annealed or brightly annealed and polished, is carried by the deflecting roll 2 which is mounted upon the frame 3. The telescoping strip support 4, held firmly upright by the posts 5, cantilevers from the frame 3. A coiler 6 having a gripper 7 is mounted so as to receive the metal strip 1. If heavy gauge low carbon steel strip is being coiled, a hold down roller (not shown) will be necessary to insure that the metal strip 1 remains against the surface of the telescoping strip support 4 and is satisfactorily fed into the gripper 7 of the coiler 6. However, if thin gauge strip is being coiled, a hold-down roller is not necessary.

Two aligned frame members or plates 8, held apart by the stiffener or rib 9, are pivotally mounted upon the telescoping strip support 4. The frame members 8 have aligned grooves 10 for rotatively receiving the mandrel 11 of a paper roll 12, and locking slides 13 to assure that the mandrel 11 will be secured to the frame members 8. An air tight manifold 14 is provided around the stiffener 9 between the frame members 8. Protruding from the manifold 14 are air nozzles 15 which are directed downwardly so that air passing through them will be directed past a paper roll 12 mounted in the grooves 10. Air is supplied to the air nozzles 15 by the hose 16 which enters the manifold 14. The hose 16 may have various connections directly to each individual nozzle 15, or it may supply air into the manifold itself. The air supplied by the hose 16 may, of course, be controlled by an operator. Each frame member 8 is pivotally connected to an air cylinder 17 for pivotal movement. A cart device 18 is utilized to supply paper rolls to the grooves 10 of the frame members 8.

In operation, the telescoping strip support 4 is caused to be extended in close proximity with the coiler 6. The post members support the extended telescoping strip support 4 in the extended position and are of a configuration such that the rotating frame members 8 do not contact them when the telescoping strip support 4 is in the retracted position. As can be seen, the surface of the telescoping support 4 is in alignment with a pass line from the deflecting roll 2 to the coiler 6. As the metal strip 1 proceeds over the roll 2, it is supported by the telescoping support 4 until it reaches the gripper 7 of coiler 6. When the metal strip 1 has been attached to the gripper 7 of the coiler 6 and the strip I placed in tension, the telescoping strip support 4 is moved to its retracted position. The cart device 18 is used to carry a paper roll 12 to a position beneath the frame members 3 and to lift it until the mandrel 11 is secured within the grooves 10 by the locking slides 13.

After the metal strip 1 has been attached to the coiler 6 and the telescoping support 4 has been retracted to its original position, the frame members 8 are pivoted by the air cylinder 17 until the paper roll 12 is contiguous with the under side of the metal strip 1, as shown by the dashed lines in FIGURE 2. When the paper roll 12 is contiguous with the under side of the moving metal strip 1, it will be caused to rotate by the movement of the metal strip 1, and the end of the paper 20 will proceed downwardly. However, at the same time, the operator will supply air from the hose 16 into the nozzles 15, and the nozzles will direct air against the paper end 20, forcing it against the under side of the metal strip and into the bite 21 of a convolution of a coil on the coiler 6. When the paper end is secured in the bite 21 of a convolution of a coil on the coiler 6, the frame members 8 may be lowered by the air cylinder 17 until the paper roll 12 is no longer contiguous with the under side of the metal strip 1. At this time initial inertia of the paper roll 12 will have been overcome and rotation of the roll 12 will continue by means of the tension on the paper as it is interleaved into successive convolutions of a coil on the coiler 6. As the roll on the coiler 6 builds up, the position of the paper roll 12 may be changed by movement of the frame members 8. It will be understood that the nozzles 15 can be made to supply air at any time irrespective of the positioning of the paper roll 12.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4, another embodiment of the instant invention will be explained. The preferred apparatus of this embodiment is also provided between the deflecting roll 2 and the coiler 6. The apparatus comprises supports 22 on which aligned arms 23, connected by the bar 23a, are pivotally mounted. Each aligned arm 23 is provided with a book 24, which will receive the mandrel 11 which holds the paper roll 12. An air cylinder 25 is pivotally connected to one arm 23. The nozzles 26 on the framework 27 direct air against the unrolled paper to hold it contiguous with the under side of the metal strip 1. Air is supplied to the nozzles 26 through the hose 28. A small electric hoist 29, attached to the mono-rail trolley 30, is utilized to transport the paper roll 12.

In operation, a roll of paper 12 on a mandrel 11 is lifted from a storage area on the mill floor, using the small electric hoist 29 attached to the mono-rail trolley 30, transported to above the aligned arms 23 and lowered into the hooks 24. The mono-rail trolley support arms 30a automatically deposit the paper roll 12 in the aligned arms 23 when the electric hoist 29 is lowered. The aligned arms 23 are then retracted slightly with the air cylinder 25, lowering the paper roll 12 so as to permit engaging the end of the metal strip 1 in the gripper 7 of the coiler 6 as it is moved along over the roll. 2. When the end of the strip is secured in the gripper 7 of the coiler 6, the pass line is established through rotation of the coiler 6, and the paper roll 12 in the arms 23 is raised by means of the air cylinder 25 until it is contiguous with the under side of the metal strip, where it is then driven by friction on the under side of the metal strip so as to unwind the paper end 20. The operator furnishes air through the hose 28 to the nozzles 26 which direct it against the unrolled paper so that the paper is received into the bite 21 of a convolution of a coil on the coiler 6. Once paper feeding has started and the inertia of starting the paper roll rotating has been provided, it is no longer necessary to keep the paper roll in contact with the under side of the metal strip, and the paper roll 12 may be lowered by means of the air cylinder 25. If necessary, the direction of the nozzles 26 supplying air against the unrolled paper may be changed by rotating the mounting plate 31 on the framework 27 to which the nozzles 26 are attached. Rotation of the mounting plate 31 is controlled by the knob 32.

An additional embodiment will be explained in connection with FIGURES 5 and 6. The apparatus of this embodiment is substantially identical with that shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 except for the addition of the apron 33. The apron 33 comprises two lip portions 34 and 35 fixed to the curved arm members 36. The curved arm members 36 are pivotally mounted between the supports 22 on the bar 23a. A rib 38 joins both curved arm members 36 at an intermediate location, preferably ahead of the paper roll, as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. An air cylinder 39 is connected to the rib 38 such that its operation will rotate the apron 33 about the bar 23a. As can be seen, the nozzles 26, the position of which may be adjusted by the knob 39a, are mounted in a framework 40 close to the floor so that th apron 33 may be satisfactorily lowered. Apertures 41 are provided in the lip 35 to accommodate the nozzles 26 when the apron 33 is in the lowered position. The lowering of the apron is indicated in FIGURE 6 by the dashed lines 42.

The main purpose of the apron 33 is to aid in supporting and guiding the metal strip 1 on its pass line. In operation the air cylinder 39 moves the apron 33 so that its lip members 34 and 35 are in proper alignment with the pass line between the roll 2 and the coiler 6. A roll of paper 12 is lifted from a storage area on the mill floor using the small electric hoist 29 attached to the monorail trolley 30, transported to above the apron 33 and lowered into the books 24 of the aligned arms 23. The supporting arms 23 are retracted slightly with the air cylinder to permit engaging the end of the metal strip 1 in the gripper 7 of the coiler 6. When the pass line has been established through rotation of the coiler, the paper roll 12 is raised until it is contiguous with the under side of the metal strip 1 so that it will then be driven by the strip, unwinding the paper end 20. The operator furnishes air to the hose 28 and the nozzles 26 direct the air against the paper so that it will proceed into the bite 21 of a convolution of a coil on the coiler 6. It will be understood that the unwound paper proceeds under the lip and not between the metal strip 1 and the lip 35. Once paper feeding has started and the inertia of starting the paper roll 12 rotating has been provided, it is not necessary to keep the paper roll 12 contiguous with the under side of the metal strip 1. In rolling heavy gauge metal the apron 33 is not required to support the under side of the strip, at least after the coiling operation has begun, and it may be retracted by the air cylinder 39. If metal strip which does not require paper interleaving is being coiled, a bridge section 43, as seen in FIGURE 6, is provided to fit flush between the lip portions 34 and 35 of the apron.

It will be understood that because the apron 33 is needed initially only to carry the light or heavy metal strip to the coiler 6, that portion of the apron 33 which interferes with the build up of the coil in the coiler 6 may be removed after the pass line has been established. The other portions of the apron 33 may be fixed or movable as design requirements dictate.

Additionally, it will be understood that the apparatus of the instant invention may be placed in a concavity or depression below the floor line, as space requirements may dictate, even though the metal coil is being built above the fioor line.

The term paper, as used in the specification and claims, is exemplary only and equivalent interleaving materials, such as, for example, plastic or other organic foil, or even metallic foil, may be substituted therefor.

It will be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore no limitations other than those specifically set forth in the claims are intended or should be implied.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An apparatus for interleaving paper from a roll of paper into successive convolutions of metal strip which is being coiled, which comprises, in combination:

(a) support means disposed preceding said metal strip which is being coiled;

(b) aligned, spaced apart members for receiving a roll of paper, pivotally mounted to said support means, said spaced apart members being joined by a first rib such that rotation of one member will be imparted to the other member;

(c) means for transporting and mounting said roll of paper in said spaced apart members;

(d) means pivotally fixed to at least one of said spaced apart members to rotate said spaced apart members and thereby bring said roll of paper into contact with the underside of said metal strip;

(e) nozzle means directed below said roll of paper and against the underside of said metal strip to force said paper against the underside of said metal strip; and

(f) means for supplying air to said nozzle means.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said aligned, spaced apart members comprise arms, said first rib joining said arms being at one end thereof, said rib end of said arms being pivotally mounted upon said support means, and said opposite end of said arms having furcations.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means to rotate said spaced apart members comprises a first air operated piston means, the end of said piston means not pivotally connected to one said arm being pivotally connected to said support means.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said nozzle means are pivotally mounted upon a framework interposed between said support means and said metal strip which is being coiled, the pivotal rotation of said nozzle means being directed by control means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for transporting and mounting said roll of paper comprises an electric hoist, said electric hoist being mounted upon a mono-rail trolley, and said trolley being positioned above said apparatus.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein an apron is pivotally mounted on said first rib, and said apron comprises:

(a) two aligned, spaced apart supports, each said support being curved in its intermediate portion so as to be able to adapt to the configuration of said roll of paper mounted in said arms, one end of each said support being pivotally mounted on said first rib of said arms;

(b) two co-planar lip members supported by said spaced apart supports, one said lip member being positioned on said spaced apart supports preceding said aligned curved portions, and the other said lip member being positioned on said spaced apart supports following said aligned curved portions;

(c) a second rib joining said aligned supports; and

(d) means pivotally connected to said second rib to rotate said apron about said first rib.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means to rotate said apron comprises a second air operated piston means, the end of said piston means not pivotally connected to said second rib being pivotally connected to said support means.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said support means includes a telescoping metal strip support, said telescop'mg metal strip support being substantially the same width as said metal strip and telescoping in the same direction as said metal strip and in alignment with said metal strip being coiled, said telescoping porton of said telescoping metal strip support being supported at its corners by post means.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said aligned, spaced apart members comprise plates, said plates having aligned grooves for receiving said paper roll.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a manifold surrounds said first rib member between said plates, said manifold having said nozzle means therein.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said means pivotally fixed to one said plate to rotate said plate comprises an air operated piston means, the end of said piston means not pivotally connected to said plate being pivotally connected to said support means.

12. A method for interleaving paper from a roll of paper into successive convolutions of metal strip which is being coiled, which comprises the steps:

(a) urging the roll of paper against the under side of said metal strip whereby said roll of paper is driven by said metal strip and said paper is unwound from said roll; and

(b) urging said unwound paper contiguous with said metal strip whereby said unwound paper enters the bite between the said convolutions of said metal strip being coiled.

13. The method according to claim 12 including the step of retracting said roll of paper from the under side of said metal strip after said unwound paper enters the bite between the said convolutions of said metal strip being coiled.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said unwound paper is urged contiguous with the underside of said metal strip by directing air against the underside of said metal strip.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,334,109 11/1943 McBain et al. 24278.l

FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

N. L. MINTZ, Assistant Examiner. 

